May 11, 2020
Buckling your seat belt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to save lives. A few seconds of effort dramatically reduces your chances of being seriously hurt in a crash. Seat belt use in the United States is high—nationwide observational surveys show that around 9 out of 10 drivers and passengers buckle up. […]
May 9, 2020
You might think you know how car insurance works — but the industry is full of half-truths, outdated “rules,” and myths that vary by state and insurer. Are red cars more expensive to insure? Does gender really impact premiums? Does “full coverage” mean everything is covered? Below are 22 of the most common car insurance […]
May 8, 2020
Rain significantly increases the chances of an accident. Wet pavement reduces traction, and heavy rain can cut visibility to almost nothing—two things you never want at the same time. Fortunately, driving in the rain doesn’t have to be dangerous. With the right prep (tires, wipers, lights) and a few defensive driving habits, you can reduce […]
May 8, 2020
If you drive a high-end or luxury vehicle, your insurance needs can look different than someone insuring a basic commuter car. Repairs cost more, parts can be harder to source, theft risk can be higher, and even “minor” collisions can turn into expensive claims because of sensors, cameras, aluminum body panels, or specialty paint. Sometimes, […]
May 6, 2020
Most states require drivers to carry auto insurance (or another form of “financial responsibility”). If you’re pulled over, registering a vehicle, or involved in a crash, you’ll typically need to show proof of coverage. Because insurance is required, some drivers are tempted to use fake proof of insurance—like a counterfeit insurance card or altered documents. […]
May 6, 2020
Auto insurance is designed to protect you financially after a crash. But even when you file a claim, you may run into delays, low settlement offers, or a denial you don’t agree with. If you believe your claim was denied unfairly (or your payout offer is unreasonably low), a demand letter can help you clearly […]
May 4, 2020
Car insurance claims can get confusing fast—especially because there are so many different types of claims. One that surprises many drivers is a loss of use claim, which is a request for compensation for the time you couldn’t use your vehicle after an accident. Loss of use is most commonly tied to paying for a […]
May 2, 2020
Buying car insurance through an agent is still a popular option—especially if you want help choosing coverage, applying discounts, or making changes later. If you shop this way, you’ll usually work with either a captive agent or an independent agent. A captive agent represents one insurance company, while an independent agent can quote multiple insurers. […]
April 30, 2020
You might hear someone say they “double-dipped” on a car insurance claim. In plain English, double-dipping means trying to get paid twice for the same damage or loss. Is double-dipping with car insurance illegal? If you’re attempting to collect two payouts for the same repairs, the same medical bills, or the same lost property, that’s […]
April 28, 2020
If you’ve received a notice from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) asking for proof of insurance, you may see confusing terms like SR-50, SR-22, or Certificate of Compliance (COC). These are not different “types of car insurance” — they’re different ways the BMV verifies financial responsibility. This guide explains what the Indiana SR-50 […]
April 27, 2020
Broad form auto insurance (also called a named operator or named driver policy) is a driver-based policy that typically provides liability-only coverage for one specific driver. It’s often cheaper than a traditional policy, but it comes with major limitations that can leave you paying out of pocket after a loss. The big difference is what […]
April 24, 2020
Being a single parent is hard enough without surprise bill increases—especially when you’re juggling work, school pickups, and everything else. So, do single moms get discounted auto insurance coverage? Not exactly. Most insurers don’t offer a discount just for being a single parent. But single moms (and single dads) can still qualify for lots of […]
April 23, 2020
You buy car insurance to cover unexpected costs — like repair bills after a crash. But what about hotels, meals, and other “stranded on a trip” expenses? If your car breaks down while you’re a long way from home, you may need a tow, a repair shop, and maybe even a hotel while you wait. […]
April 21, 2020
Some drivers wonder if they can replace car insurance with a surety bond. In certain states, a surety bond (or another type of “financial responsibility” filing) can satisfy the legal requirement to drive—meaning you may be allowed to register and operate a vehicle without a traditional liability policy. That said, a surety bond is not […]
April 13, 2020
When you read your car insurance declarations page, you might see unfamiliar terms—especially if you’re financing or leasing your vehicle. One of the most common is a loss payee (often shown as a lender or “lienholder” on an auto policy). A loss payee clause helps define whose name is on an auto insurance claim check […]
April 13, 2020
A continuous coverage (or prior insurance) discount is a common way auto insurers reward drivers who have maintained uninterrupted car insurance. Even if your new carrier doesn’t show it as a line-item discount, having “no lapse” history can still mean a lower rate. Below is how the continuous coverage discount works, what counts as a […]
April 10, 2020
Driving slow in the left lane (the “passing lane” on many highways) is a bad idea. It can trigger aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and risky right-side passing—making roads less safe for everyone. If you want to reduce crash risk, it’s one of the simplest habits to fix: keep right unless you’re actively passing. Many states […]
April 7, 2020
The best way to lower car insurance costs is to avoid a car accident. And the best way to avoid accidents is to build safe habits that reduce risk every time you drive. It’s no secret that defensive driving prevents accidents. Defensive driving is less about “driving slow” and more about creating space, staying predictable, […]
April 3, 2020
Most states require drivers to maintain “financial responsibility,” which is a legal way of saying you must be able to pay for injuries and property damage you cause in a crash. This is easy to confuse with insurance—because auto insurance is the most common way to prove you’re financially responsible. But “proof of financial responsibility” […]
March 30, 2020
When you buy auto insurance, you’re not just buying a price—you’re buying a promise to pay covered claims. Most drivers focus on premium and discounts, but it’s also smart to confirm your insurer is financially stable enough to handle claims during high-stress periods (like major storms, wildfires, or large spikes in litigation and repair costs). […]
March 28, 2020
RV insurance can protect your motorhome or trailer from big, unexpected costs—everything from liability claims after an accident to theft, weather damage, and more. But do you actually need RV insurance? It depends on what you own and how you use it. In general: Below is a practical breakdown of when RV insurance is required, […]
March 24, 2020
Gap insurance (also called “Guaranteed Asset Protection” or loan/lease payoff coverage) can protect you from owing money on a car you no longer have. Here’s the problem it solves: if your car is totaled or stolen, your insurer typically pays the actual cash value of your vehicle (ACV), minus your deductible. But your loan/lease balance […]
March 19, 2020
Car insurance premiums aren’t set in stone. Your rate can drop at renewal—or jump—based on your personal risk factors and broader trends in your state, city, or ZIP code. In fact, many drivers have seen insurer-wide increases lately even without tickets or claims. For example, Bankrate reports the national average cost of full coverage climbed […]
March 14, 2020
You may have heard that vehicle safety ratings impact car insurance rates. That’s true: the safer your vehicle is judged to be, the more comfortable insurers tend to feel about covering it—and that can affect what you pay. Cars with strong safety ratings are less likely to produce severe injuries in a crash. Because insurers […]
March 12, 2020
An FR-44 isn’t a special “type of car insurance.” It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with the state to prove you’re carrying higher-than-normal liability limits after a serious driving offense (most commonly a DUI). If the state requires an FR-44 and you don’t keep it active, your insurer can notify […]